Vogts calls for cash to revive grassroots

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BERTI VOGTS said yesterday that he needs government help if he is to carry out his long-term plan to rejuvenate the game in Scotland. In the wake of Scotland and Ireland’s failure to capture the 2008 European Championship, Vogts claimed that the Government must now redirect resources and invest in football’s grassroots.

“I don’t like the fact that government money will be going into bidding for the 2012 Olympics. We need some cash for football in Scotland, for our youth teams and to get our coaches into the schools,” Vogts, the Scotland coach, said.

“I know that the money could be spent on things like hospitals and roads but we could do both. It is up to the Government to help to look after the young generation, although the clubs and the SFA need to help as well.

“Professional clubs need to build their academies and facilities and we need five or six further indoor arenas, the same way they have in Scandinavia.Hearts will open their new academy soon and we have to speak to the other clubs because it is important if we are to improve the quality of our players.”

Scotland’s “Future” team take on their German counterparts in Mainz tonight but a squad decimated by call-offs over the weekend was further depleted yesterday when Scot Wilson, the Dunfermline defender, was sent home suffering from flu only hours before the flight to Germany. Wilson was replaced by Bob Malcolm, of Rangers.

However, Vogts insisted the trip was still worthwhile and said that some players are already good enough to step up to the full squad.

“The call-offs are normal and it gives the other players the opportunity and that’s good for them. And we will still be looking for a good performance and result,” he said. “There are other nations who take on these games and it’s great for the players to get experience, especially when all our teams are out of Europe and we only have Celtic left in the Uefa Cup.

“Maybe some of the players from this game will play against Ireland in February and some others might force their way into the top team in a year or so. But even now players like Barry Nicholson, Ian Murray, Stephen Crainey, Gary and Stephen Caldwell are close to a call-up to the first team, but they all need international experience.

“Caldwell will be the captain because he’s a good talker and organiser and Paul Gallacher will play in goal. Neil Alexander will play the full game in February because I don’t think playing 45 minutes is any good for a goalkeeper.”